Big Drama on SmallStages: Mid Wales Opera presents the Tragic and Intense ‘Play Within a Play’ of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci This Autumn!

Prepare for a night of dramatic tension and emotional intensity as Mid Wales Opera (MWO) embarks on its latest SmallStages Tour with Ruggero Leoncavallo’s operatic masterpiece Pagliacci, or Clowns. This autumn, the tragic tale of love, betrayal, and the blurred lines between performance and reality takes centre stage, captivating audiences with its raw emotional power and sensational music. 

Mid Wales Opera are excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for their upcoming SmallStages production of Pagliacci, presenting a production that delves into the darker aspects of the human condition, exploring themes of jealousy, revenge, and the thin veneer between art and life.

This compelling operatic experience promises to captivate both long-time opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike. With its gripping storyline, which blurs the lines between performance and reality, and its unforgettable music that vividly conveys intense emotions, Pagliacci remains one of the most popular and widely performed operas worldwide. The opera’s exploration of human vulnerability, jealousy, and betrayal, combined with its dramatic ‘play within a play’ structure, ensures that it continues to resonate with audiences and maintains its relevance across various art forms and cultures.

Pagliacci tells the story of Canio, the leader of a travelling troupe of actors, who must grapple with the devastating revelation of his wife Nedda’s infidelity. Forced to perform on stage while struggling with his anguish, Canio’s real-life despair mirrors the character he plays, leading to a tragic climax that blurs the boundaries between fiction and reality.

The SmallStages tour of Pagliacci is a continuation of MWO’s commitment to bringing high-quality opera to communities across Wales and the Borders and will run from October 25th to November 22nd, 2024. 

This new production features a cast of five singers and five musicians, with an English translation by Richard Studer and a chamber arrangement by Jonathan Lyness. In a departure from traditional operatic formats, the performance will be presented in two parts. The first half will be dedicated to the opera Pagliacci, while the second half will feature a newly created cabaret of popular and entertaining musical pieces, allowing audiences to enjoy a rich variety of performances in one evening. 

Music Director Jonathan Lyness shares his excitement about the new production: “I can’t wait to get started on this opera! It’s a piece packed with energy and beauty - gripping, fast-moving, funny and tragic, with possibly the greatest of all tenor arias – it simply has it all, in about 60 minutes! If you’ve never seen an opera before, come and see this one!” 

Artistic Director Richard Studer reflects on the creative process behind Pagliacci: “This is a tremendous story and a tremendous cast last led by the amazing Welsh soprano Elin Pritchard as Nedda. It’s a new work for me and to explore the play within a play with such an amazing group of artists and then tour to our community venues will be the highlight of the year. Working at this scale allows a naturalistic approach, details are everything when your audience is only six feet from you! This innovative production also continues MWO’s tradition of creative adaptations to make opera accessible to a wider audience. The compact chamber arrangement and intimate venues bring a fresh perspective to Leoncavallo’s iconic score, enhancing the visceral impact of the drama.

The Pagliacci tour will launch with the opening night at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Friday, October 25, 2024, and conclude at Hafren, Newtown on Friday, November 22, 2024. The tour includes stops at a variety of venues, from community halls to established theatres, ensuring that audiences across the region have the opportunity to experience this powerful production.

Thanks to a vital funding lifeline from Powys County Council and the incredible generosity of its supporters, Mid Wales Opera is closer than ever to securing a sustainable future. Having raised over £36,000 towards their £50,000 goal, MWO still needs your help! Your donations, big or small, can make all the difference. You can also support MWO by purchasing tickets to see Pagliacci on their SmallStages tour—every ticket sold brings the organisation one step closer to keeping live opera thriving across Wales!

This tour is also made possible with the generous support of the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund through Powys County Council, Colwinston Charitable Trust, Gwendoline and Margaret Davies Charity, Millichope Foundation and many individual donors.

For more details and to purchase tickets, please visit www.midwalesopera.co.uk